Gender-affirming care saves lives. Despite mounting evidence and countless lived experiences, recent laws and court rulings are stripping trans people of essential health care. These attacks aren’t just political—they’re personal, life-threatening, and urgent to resist.

“Improv masks it, makes it fun. Like, oh, yeah, I'm just playing this silly game. But then when we sit and we start to debrief what that game brought up for us, we see that it brought up a lot more than just funny space aliens.”

Shannon Stott’s approach to improv isn’t just about laughter—it’s about listening to your body, accessing your truth, and practicing how you want to move through the world. In this conversation, Logan Kim and Shannon dive deep into how playful, low-stakes games can help us explore identity, make intentional choices, and connect more fully with ourselves and others.

“Most of the moments that we have are actually low stakes,” Shannon reflects. “And improv helps us remember that it’s possible to be right here—in this moment—making one choice at a time.”

Over the last few months I’ve struggled to decide whether I wanted to add anything to the very public and politicized discourse on transness, our existence, and our rights. Even now, I have doubts – what could I even say that hasn’t already been said? Is it right to take up space when people are being ruthlessly abducted and deported, when hospitals are being bombed in an ongoing genocide, when the climate crisis threatens the sustainability of any life here? 

If anyone is reading this, then clearly I’ve decided to go ahead and write this. Because silence and withdrawal don’t do anything for anyone. Because making myself small while having the privileges I have would make me complicit with the anti-trans agenda that denies our existence. And, because if this reaches even one person in a meaningful way, then it’s worth it.

Our therapists come to Kindman & Co. because they want to work in an unsevered space. They seek a culture where authenticity, vulnerability, community, and connection aren’t just buzzwords—they’re practiced daily.

They understand that healing doesn’t stop at the therapy door—it’s shaped by the systems we work within, the relationships we hold, and the spaces we co-create. At Kindman & Co., we believe that when therapists are supported in being fully human, they’re better able to show up in powerful, connected ways for the people they serve.

In today’s turbulent world, where injustice, suffering, and uncertainty seem ever-present, being a highly sensitive person (HSP) or empath can feel incredibly overwhelming!. The emotional weight of witnessing systemic oppression, environmental destruction, and societal upheaval can be exhausting, often leaving empaths drained, disillusioned, or burned out. 

As an empath, you possess a profound gift of understanding and connecting with others on a deeper level. However, this can feel excruciating in a time marked by social injustices, political turmoil, and global crises. Learning to manage emotional boundaries, prioritize self-care, and take meaningful action without burning out is crucial! This guide offers valuable insights and strategies to help you thrive while staying engaged with the world in a way that aligns with your values and well-being.

I’m not sure where the narrative began that avoidance and disconnecting from yourself is a bad thing. I mean, if all you are doing is avoiding life and you don’t even realize when you are doing it…yea that will likely result in some other life challenges. For myself, I actually really enjoy taking a break from my deeper thoughts and momentarily jumping out of my emotions. Intentional avoidance and distraction help us to move further away from a feeling that is daunting or overwhelming - knowing that we will process those feelings later

In today’s fast-paced world, where stress, anxiety, and overwhelming daily demands are all too common, finding a way to take care of your mental health can often feel like an extra chore on your to-do list. But what if self-care didn’t feel like a chore at all? What if it was fun, engaging, and—dare I say—game-like? That’s exactly the experience I had with Finch, a self-care app that combines the power of gamification with mental wellness practices to help you stay consistent and motivated in your self-care journey.

In the past several weeks since the 2024 presidential election, I’ve felt myself as well as held space for feelings of frustration, division, anger, and worries about safety, rights, and personal freedoms. These issues can create a perfect storm of anxiety, grief, and fear. I’ve noticed myself moving from hopeful, to numb, to powerless especially when it seems like the problems are so big and out of our control. And then there’s confidence in our ability to make a better future peeking through as I engage with my community. It’s an interesting time to be a therapist.

Life changes can stir up emotions—some we expect, others may catch us off guard. A new job, a big move, or a relationship ending can make us feel like the ground beneath us is shifting. It’s natural to feel unsettled or even lost during these moments.

Talking with someone can make all the difference. Therapy offers a place to sort through the highs and lows, to make sense of the change, and to find a way forward.